Rtn. Dimy Doresca presented the Club with a flag from Eket, Nigeria. Rtn. Dimy described the remote area he visited working with a Dr. who provided eye care for this very poor area.

Rtn. Azeez Butali presented the Club with a flag from Abuja Nigeria

Rtn. John Gross announced that he is collecting donations to serve the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program. He will be collecting donations at the door next week and encourages us to, “Give until it feels good!”

Secretary Sean McIntyre shared a few club membership statistics. We have 323 members currently, this is a net loss of 11 for the year, however we have 10 potential new members in process of Club Membership.

Announcements from President Mike:

The Club would like to express a big thank you to the minute-taking team of new volunteers: Rotarians, Devin Van Holsteijn, Sara Sedlacek, Resmiye Oral and Mike Spangle for joining Shawn Reineke.

The University Heights beautification project full details with photos will be shared within a January meeting.

Please send the amount of time you have donated to Rotary this year to Nancy Droll, nsd001@aol.com. Rotary International is documenting all Rotarians “time contributions”.

PROGRAM:

Rtn. Minda Hamann introduced Esther Baker. Girls on the Run Esther Baker is the Executive Director of Girls on the Run. She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a master’s degree in Communication from MSU and an MBA from the Tippie School of Management at the University of Iowa. Originally from Detroit, MI, Esther started her career in radio news, and then worked for a number of years in communication, public relations, and program management at Michigan State University, Cornell University, and the University of Iowa. She is delighted to join the Girls on the Run team!

Esther described Girls on the Run, “this is more than a running club, we serve emotional, mental and social wellbeing of girls in 3rd through 8th grade”. Girls on the Run has been an organization for 10 years, starting in North Carolina in 1996. The 10-week program meets twice a week after school with a mission to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. The Girls on the Run vision ties nicely with Rotary, “Girls on the Run envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.”

Scholarships are made available to cover ther $150 program fee, so that no student is turned away from participating. The program is offered both in the spring and fall and serves 1000 students within each season. The spring season will start in February with the 5k event taking place on May 5th in Cedar Rapids. The races alternate between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City each season.

There are several benefits the participants will realize; resolving conflict, standing up to those who bully, and preparing mentally and physically to accomplish a 5k. Ultimately each participant comes away with a big sense of pride. Esther explained that those need the skill the most, tend to benefit the most.

Esther shared a few statistics about what girls of this age are facing. 59% say they do not like their body. A large percent has experienced bullying and their own physical activity is decreasing.

Esther encouraged us to get involved in this transformative program and listed the ways we might do so.

Make a financial donation, help support the scholarship program so they may continue to serve all who seek participation. Esther’s team has a goal of raising $95,000 to cover costs of running the Eastern Iowa Girls on the Run council.

Be a volunteer head coach, (females only) or an assistant coach (male or female)

Be a running buddy during the 5k.

Volunteer on one of the committees; Event Planning, Development or Board of Directors

Attend LunaFest, a film festival celebrating films by, for or about women, March 21st, 2018 at the Englert

Spread the word, help build awareness for Girls on the Run!

President Mike thanked Esther Baker for her engaging and informative presentation.

The meeting ended at 1:00 pm as President Mike led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.